Method and means for casino games

ABSTRACT

One aspect of the present invention provides an improved baccarat table having a generally rectangular platform provided with a table surface with generally opposite longer sides and opposite shorter sides, wherein the table surface provides a zone marked with designations referring to some or all of “A”, “2”, “3”, “4”, “5”, “6”, “7”, “8”, “9”, “10”, “J”, “Q” and “K” and configured for receiving bets from subsidiary participants. The zone is provided for the subsidiary participants to participate in the game by betting on cards matching those drawn in a main game conducted on the table.

FIELD OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

The present invention is concerned with a method and means for an improved game including but not limited to an improved baccarat game.

BACKGROUND OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

Commercial gaming operations are run in many countries throughout the world. Casino gaming must compete with other forms of gambling for the available customer base. One of the key considerations in the economics of casino operations is the turnover achieved for a given table. In many cases, the casino will operate under specific restrictions as to the number of tables which it can operate, imposed by regulatory authorities. Costs associated with staff and the floor spaces occupied are also relevant. As a result, from the casino operator's perspective, the objective is to obtain as much turnover, and hence possibility for profit, as possible from the gaming facilities provided.

Baccarat is one of the more popular card games. It is believed to have been introduced into France from Italy during the reign of Charles VIII of France (ruled 1483-1498), and it is similar to Faro and Basset. There are generally three accepted variants of the game: baccarat chemin de fer, baccarat banque (or à deux tableaux), and punto banco (or North American baccarat). Punto banco is strictly a game of chance, with no skill or strategy involved; each player's moves are forced by the cards the player is dealt. In baccarat chemin de fer and baccarat banque, by contrast, both players can make choices, which allows skill to play a part.

Baccarat is a game with only three possible results—‘Player’, ‘Banker’ and ‘Tie’. The term ‘Player’ does not refer to the customer and the term ‘Banker’ does not refer to the house. They are just options on which a customer or a player, generally referred as a participant, can bet.

In Baccarat, cards 2-9 are worth face value, 10s and face cards (J, Q, K) are worth zero, and Aces are worth 1 point. Participants calculate their score by taking the sum of all cards modulo 10, meaning that after adding the value of the cards the tens digit is ignored. For example, a hand consisting of 2 and 3 is worth 5 (2+3=5). A hand consisting of 6 and 7 is worth 3 (6+7=13=3)—the first digit is dropped because the total is higher than 10. A hand consisting of 4 and 6 is worth zero, or Baccarat (4+6=10=0). The name “Baccarat” is unusual in that the game is named after the worst hand, worth 0. The highest score that can be achieved is 9 (from a 4 and 5, 10 and 9, or A and 8, etc).

In the United States, Canada, Australia, Sweden, Finland and Macau, a variation of baccarat called Punto Banco is played in which the casino banks the game at all times. Players may bet on either the player or the banker, which are merely designations for the two hands dealt in each game. The cards are dealt face down, one to the ‘Player’ first, then to the ‘Banker’; ‘Player’ then ‘Banker’ again. This is the initial deal consisting of two cards each. Both cards in each hand are then turned over and added together and the croupier calls the total (e.g. five to the ‘Player’, three to the ‘Banker’). From this position the ‘Tableau’ or table of play is used to determine if further cards need to be drawn. Depending on the two hands, the Player and Banker may draw a single card or stand pat. The hand with the highest total wins. If either the Player or the Banker achieves a total of 8 or 9 on the initial deal (known as a ‘natural’), no further cards are drawn. If not, the game proceeds as follows.

-   -   If the Player has an initial total of 0-5, the Player draws a         single card. If the Player has an initial total of 6 or 7, he         stands.     -   The Banker's play depends on the Player's hand, on whether the         Player drew a card, and on what card the Player drew:         -   If the Player did not draw a card, the Banker draws if he             has 0-5, and stands if he has 6-7.         -   If the Player drew a 2 or 3, the Banker draws if he has 0-4,             and stands if he has 5-7.         -   If the Player drew a 4 or 5, the Banker draws if he has 0-5,             and stands if he has 6-7.         -   If the Player drew a 6 or 7, the Banker draws if he has 0-6,             and stands if he has 7.         -   If the Player drew an 8, the Banker draws if he has 0-2, and             stands if he has 3-7.         -   If the Player drew an ace, 9, 10, or face-card, the Banker             draws if he has 0-3, and stands if he has 4-7.             The croupier will deal the cards according to the tableau             and the croupier will announce the winning hand—either             ‘Player’ or ‘Banker’. Losing bets will be collected and the             winning bets will be paid according to the rules of the             house. Usually even money or 1-1 will be paid to the Player             and 95% to the ‘Banker’, 5% commission to the house.             (Commission Baccarat) Some casinos pay even money or 1-1 to             both ‘Player’ and ‘Banker’ except when the ‘Banker’ wins             with 6. Then the ‘Banker’ will be paid 50% or half the             original bet. In this scenario the house edge on a banker             bet is 1.46%, whilst the house edge on player and tie bets             remain the same as commission baccarat.

Should both the ‘Banker's’ hand and the ‘Player's’ hand have the same value at the end of the deal the croupier shall announce “Egalité—tie bets win.” All tie bets will be paid at 8 to 1 odds and all bets on ‘Player’ or ‘Banker’ remain in place and active for the next game (the customer may or may not be able to retract these bets depending on casino rules).

The traditional form of punto banco baccarat is played at a long table, similar to the chemin de fer version. The table is staffed by a croupier, who directs the play of the game, and two dealers who collect and pay bets as well as tallying commissions due. Six or eight decks of cards are used, normally shuffled only by the croupier and dealers. Like chemin de fer, the shoe is passed around from player to player, who acts as the dealer of the cards and as “banker,” but he or she does not actually bank the game. Indeed, the “banker” may bet on the player hand if he or she wishes, or may pass the shoe along to another player—the role of the “banker” is merely ceremonial. The person who bets the highest amount on the player hand is given the player-hand cards, though he or she simply turns the cards over, announcing their total. The croupier instructs the “banker” on if or when to deal third cards, and then announces the winning hand.

In casinos in Las Vegas and Atlantic City, this version of baccarat is usually played in special rooms separated from the main gaming floor, ostensibly to provide an extra measure of privacy and security because of the high stakes often involved. The game is frequented by the highest of high rollers, who may wager tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars on a single hand. Australian tycoon Kerry Packer was particularly fond of the game, having won and lost large sums over the years. Minimum bets are relatively high, often starting at US$25 and going as high as US$500. Posted maximum bets are often arranged to suit a player, but maximums of US$10,000 per hand are common.

Punto banco is considered as relatively simple for professional or experienced players. Perhaps because of its relative simplicity, the punto banco version of baccarat offers some of the lowest house advantage available in a casino. The player bet has a house advantage of 1.24%, and the banker bet (despite the 5% commission) has an advantage of 1.06%. The tie bet has a much higher house advantage of 14.44%, based on six decks in play.

Mini-baccarat is essentially the same game, but played at a smaller table very similar to a blackjack table. A single dealer handles the entire game, including dealing the cards. The pace is usually much faster than the “big baccarat” version. Betting minimums and maximums are usually lower. In casinos outside of Las Vegas and Atlantic City, this is frequently the only version of baccarat that is offered.

In addition to Punto Banco, there are also other versions of baccarat including Chemin De Fer and Baccarat Banque. For full details of the rules of Chemin De Fer, reference should be had to appropriate references—for example, Hoyles Rules of Games, second revised edition, Albert H. Morehead and Geoffrey Mott-Smith, 1998, Penguin books Australia. Many casinos also publish details of their rules.

The laws of different versions of baccarat game are complicated and no one code is accepted as authoritative, the different clubs making their own rules. Partly due to this reason some less experienced players often find it either not fun to participate or too difficult to participate and would choose other games over baccarat. And partly due to the relatively low house advantage, a conventional baccarat table in a casino may not be very profitable.

The present invention seeks to provide a method and means to address these issues, or least to provide an alternative to the public.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an improved baccarat table comprising an elongate platform providing a table surface with generally opposite longer sides and opposite shorter sides, wherein the table surface includes (i) a first zone having one or more areas marked with primary designations referring to “Player” and “Banker” and configured for receiving bets from main participants, the first zone generally in the form of a curved band extending across a length of the table, and a second zone marked with secondary designations referring to some or all of “A”, “2”, “3”, “4”, “5”, “6”, “7”, “8”, “9”, “10”, “J”, “Q” and “K” and configured for receiving bets from subsidiary participants, the second zone positioned at a concave region defined by the curved band; (ii) wherein one of the longer sides of the table is configured adjacent which the main participants are stationed and the opposite longer side is configured adjacent which one or more dealers are stationed, in use; and (iii) wherein on the table surface the second zone is configured to position, in use, closer to the dealer(s) than the first area.

While in one embodiment the table may exist as a physical table it may alternatively exist as a virtual table electronically with which the participants interact via a video display.

In one embodiment, the table may generally be rectangular in shape. Alternatively, the table may generally be in an oval shape, with the longer and shorter sides together forming the oval shape.

The table surface may be provided with a number of slots positioned on a convex side of the curved band, the slots configured to receive cards drawn for the main participants.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an improved baccarat game apparatus comprising an improved baccarat table as described above and a set of random cards.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an improved method of administering an improved baccarat game using an improved baccarat game apparatus as described above, comprising the steps of (i) allowing the subsidiary participants to place bets on desired numbers of the secondary designations in the second zone; (ii) dealing cards in the game in turn until the baccarat game finishes; (iii) determining which of the subsidiary participant(s) has or have won by comparing the desired numbers of the secondary designations on which the subsidiary participants have placed bets and numbers on the cards drawn for the main participants during the baccarat game; and (iv) calculating an amount of award to winner(s) of the subsidiary participants by determining number of matches between the desired numbers of the secondary designation on which the subsidiary participants have placed bets and the numbers of the cards drawn for the main participants during the baccarat game.

Specifically, the amount of award may be determined by a pay-out ratio of 1 to 1 when the number of matches is 1, 3-4 to 1 when the number of matches is 2, 20-30 when the number of matches is 3, 40-50 when the number of matches is 4, 60-100 when the number of matches is 5, and 100-200 to 1 when the number of matches is 6.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention is now described by way of example, with reference to the drawings, in which:—

FIG. 1 shows a table surface of an embodiment of an improved baccarat table according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a flow chart illustrating an embodiment of a method of administrating an improved baccarat game according to the present invention; and

FIG. 3 is a table showing possible payout ratio used for administration of the improved baccarat game as shown in FIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

One aspect of the present invention relates to an improved baccarat game table for use in a commercial gaming establishment. Specifically, the improved baccarat game table is of the type in which a gaming surface is provided with marked spaces for placement of bets or wagers on the Banker or Player, and subject to the cards dealt to the banker and player, the bets placed in the marked spaces are paid in accordance with predetermined rules by paying player bets to the banker or vice versa.

FIG. 1 illustrates a layout of a table surface of a preferred embodiment of an improved casino baccarat game table according to the present invention. The game table comprises an elongate platform with generally opposite longer sides and opposite shorter sides. It is to be noted that for the purpose of explaining the set up of the game table and the administration of an improved baccarat game conducted at the game table, the following description is used with reference to a particular base of rules and specific outcome. However, it will be appreciated that additional or alternative outcomes could be used, with suitable modifications to odds. Similarly, the outcomes may need to be varied to take account of local rules and regulations.

Much of the table layout of the table surface shown in FIG. 1 is conventional for a casino baccarat game. At either end of the layout, generally referred to as 20, are areas 27 adjacent the player end and 28 adjacent the banker end. This embodiment of the game table is different in that there is provided further marked spaces for the placements of wagers on numbers “A”, “2”, “3”, “4”, “5”, “6”, “7”, “8”, “9”, “10”, “J”, “Q” and “K”. Specifically, a series of seven positions numbered 1(A) to 7 are provided at the player end 27, and seven positions numbered 8 to 10, J, Q, K at the banker end 28. At each end, a series of curved lines generally following the shape of the playing area define the spaces for making banker 23 and player 22 bets in front of each main participant. These lines define a curved band making up a first zone. Additionally, an inner area 24 defines a space where bets on a tie happens to the player's hand; inner area 25 defines a space where bets on a tie can be placed by any player; inner area 26 defines a space where bets on a tie happens to the banker's hand. The first zone, in particular, is designed for the main participants to play the game.

The embodiment of the game table in FIG. 1 is designed not only for the main participants to participate in the game. It is also designed to allow amateur players, or hereinafter known as subsidiary participants, to play the game. This game table is different in that the table surface is provided with an inner area 30, or a second zone, immediately inside the Player Pair (area 24) and Banker Pair (Area 26) area, for placement of match cards. This may either be divided into specific areas for each player, or be an open area where any such bet can be placed. The second zone is primarily designed for the subsidiary participants to play the game. The existence of the second zone allows the subsidiary participants to play the game even if they do not necessarily understand the primary game. This configuration of the layout is also technically advantageous because the second zone is positioned such that the dealers can assist the subsidiary participants to place their bets. It is to be noted that the subsidiary participants may primarily the ones who would like to participate the main game by merely using the results of cards drawn for the main participants and yet s/he may not fully understand the main game and yet would like to participate.

Accordingly, it can be understood that the present invention allows basically unlimited number of players, i.e. subsidiary participants, to be involved into the baccarat game play by matching cards that have been dealt on the table throughout the hand. Anyone can participate by placing wagers within the numbered area. Player wins a pay if the number being bet matches the cards being dealt on the table throughout the same hand. Due to the lower possibilities of the same card appearing twice or more times in the same hand, a same number being matched twice will have higher pay out than being matched once. As a result, the pay out of a same card being matched will increase as the number of matches happens more. The maximum number of matches that can happen is determined by the number of cards that can be dealt on the table within a baccarat game. Under most cases throughout the casinos globally, this number is 6. The calculated pay out of different numbers of matches is indicated in FIG. 3.

From the perspective of players, this provides an alternative interest into the same baccarat game. Some players may even prefer to simply make such a bet and not participate in general play, i.e. the principal game, which accordingly provides a new way for new players to participate to a certain extent without having to understand all the intricacies of the game. It is of course possible that some participants may choose to participate in both the principal game and the subsidiary game.

Accordingly, it can be understood that the present invention defines a new working interrelationship between the participants, the cards, the playing surface and the wagers. The interrelationship allows for the players to place a wager on a factor not necessarily related to the outcome of the principal game, and in particular to match cards with the cards that will be dealt throughout the game. This invention allows a larger number of players to participate; the volume of wagers per deal is also likely to increase, with virtually no extra effort or time taken, so that the daily turnover of the table is likely to increase. More importantly, the same improved game actually provides two different difficulty levels tailored to two categories of participants. A single game with increased number of participants is definitely more attractive.

While this embodiment of the game table is a physical table, in an alternative embodiment the table may exist electronically for example via the internet and through a video facility with which participants can interact with the game.

FIG. 2 shows an exemplary flowchart illustrating an embodiment of a method of administrating an improved baccarat game according to the present invention. While this embodiment is implemented in an electronic gaming environment with which at least bets are placed and paid via software systems, the same game logistics equally apply to a game system using a physical baccarat table as described above with reference to FIG. 1. It will be appreciated that the present invention requires only simple changes to existing conventional baccarat game systems to implement. Prior to the cards being dealt, the system determines at box 40 if a match card bet had been made. If not, then this process ends at box 46. If a bet has been made, at box 44 the amount is stored as value X in a suitable register. After all the cards have been dealt, the hand has completed and the game finishes, the process enquires at box 41 if the number being bet on the second zone matches any cards on the table. If not, the bet is lost and this is communicated to the credit system at box 47. If the number at the second zone being bet matches one or more cards at box 42 a pay out occurs. If the number of matches is matched once, the pay out proceeds according to box 43. If the number of matches is matched twice, the pay out proceeds according to box 44. If the number of matches is matched thrice, the pay out proceeds according to box 45. If the number of matches is matched four times, the pay out proceeds according to box 46. If the number of matches is matched five times, the pay out proceeds according to box 47. If the number of matches is matched at a maximum level of six times, the pay out proceeds according to box 48.

In an alternative embodiment in which a physical game is conducted, the same methodology is used to determine if or which subsidiary participants have won and for how much, although the determination is conducted manually or optionally with the aid of electronic calculation devices.

It will be appreciated that other embodiments of the present invention exist with various additions and alternatives, within the general spirit and scope of the invention. For example, it is envisaged that an improved baccarat table according to the present invention may exist in a scratch card environment. Such scratch cards may be distributed in convenient stores or supermarkets or the like. It is envisaged that an improved game may also be conducted via the internet such at participants from different geographical locations can participate the same game online. 

1. An improved baccarat table comprising an elongate platform providing a table surface with generally opposite longer sides and opposite shorter sides, (i) wherein said table surface includes: (a) a first zone having one or more areas marked with primary designations referring to “Player” and “Banker” and configured for receiving bets from main participants, the first zone generally in the form of a curved band extending across a length of said table; and (b) a second zone marked with secondary designations referring to some or all of “A”, “2”, “3”, “4”, “5”, “6”, “7”, “8”, “9”, “10”, “J”, “Q” and “K” and configured for receiving bets from subsidiary participants, the second zone positioned at a concave region defined by the curved band; (ii) wherein one of the longer sides of said table is configured adjacent which the main participants are stationed and the opposite longer side is configured adjacent which one or more dealers are stationed, in use; and (iii) wherein on the table surface the second zone is configured to position, in use, closer to the dealer(s) than the first area.
 2. An improved baccarat table as claimed in claim 1, wherein said table is a virtual table existing electronically with which the participants interact via a video display.
 3. An improved baccarat table as claimed in claim 1, wherein said table is generally rectangular in shape.
 4. An improved baccarat table as claimed in claim 1, wherein said table is generally in an oval shape, with the longer and shorter sides together forming the oval shape.
 5. An improved baccarat table as claimed in claim 1, wherein the table surface is provided with a number of slots positioned on a convex side of the curved band, the slots configured to receive cards drawn for the main participants.
 6. An improved baccarat game apparatus comprising an improved baccarat table as claimed in claim 1 and a set of random cards.
 7. A method of administering an improved baccarat game using an improved baccarat game apparatus as claimed in claim 6, comprising the steps of: (i) allowing the subsidiary participants to place bets on desired numbers of the secondary designations in the second zone; (ii) dealing cards in the game in turn until the baccarat game finishes; (iii) determining which of the subsidiary participant(s) has or have won by comparing the desired numbers of the secondary designations on which the subsidiary participants have placed bets and numbers on the cards drawn for the main participants during the baccarat game; and (iv) calculating an amount of award to winner(s) of the subsidiary participants by determining number of matches between the desired numbers of the secondary designation on which the subsidiary participants have placed bets and the numbers of the cards drawn for the main participants during the baccarat game.
 8. A method as claimed in claim 7, wherein the amount of award is determined by a pay-out ratio of 1 to 1 when the number of matches is 1, 3-4 to 1 when the number of matches is 2, 20-30 when the number of matches is 3, 40-50 when the number of matches is 4, 60-100 when the number of matches is 5, and 100-200 to 1 when the number of matches is
 6. 